Recent Innovations

Our team works tirelessly to innovate and improve many different methods and tools for preventing swimmer’s itch and assessing various human impacts to our lakes. Please check back regularly for important updates!

• A Standardized Water Collection Protocol for Assessing Itch-causing Parasites

Our team developed and published protocol has become the industry standard and is used by scientists in our field. 

2018 - Rudko, S.P., Reimink, R.L., Froelich, K., Gordy, M.A., Blankespoor, C.L., and Hanington, P.C. qPCR cercariometry as a method to quantify larval avian schistosome abundance and assess environmental and biological drivers of their concentration in recreational waters. EcoHealth 15(4), 827- 839. 

2020 - Rudko SP, Reimink RL, Peter B, White J, Hanington PC. Democratizing water monitoring: Implementation of a community-based qPCR monitoring program for recreational water hazards.PLoS ONE 15(5): e0229701. https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229701

• Species-specific qPCR Assays for Analyzing Parasite Communities Responsible for Causing Swimmer’s Itch

We were the driving force behind establishing qPCR as the new “gold standard” methodology for assessing itching-causing parasites and the species-specific assays we developed and published are now used routinely around the globe.

2019 - Rudko, S.P., Turnbull, A., Reimink, R.L., Froelich, K., and Hanington P.C. Species-specific qPCR assays allow for high-resolution population assessment of four species of avian schistosome that cause swimmer’s itch in recreational lakes. International Journal of Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 9, 122-129.

• Using Drone Heat Infrared Imaging to Detect Compromised Septic Systems

In progress…stay tuned!

• Combining Aerial Drone and Underwater Photography to Democratize Aquatic Plant Surveys

In progress…stay tuned!